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Consider upgrading your anti-virus/anti-malware software beyond Microsoft Security Essentials

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Recent report finds MS Security Essentials lacking in preventing virus and malware attacks

* Macintosh users need not be concerned with this email as -- currently -- the Mac is less a targe to virus and malware attacks

Based on this recent article from ReadWriteWeb.com, I am recommending that you look to another anti-virus/anti-malware program to either replace or supplement Microsoft Security Essentials.

According to the article, Microsoft's Security Essentials Fails Major Antivirus Test,

"Microsoft's free Security Essentials antivirus tool has failed the approval process from a leading antivirus test lab, a stinging rebuke for Microsoft's security efforts. Microsoft, for its part, essentially claimed that the tests were unfair, and that the malware that its software didn't detect affected just 0.0033 percent (or just over three one-thousandths of one percent) of its user base.

The good news is that there are numerous free antivirus solutions for Windows users, so those that worry if their data is safe can download a replacement while Microsoft and AV-test.org, the lab that performed the test, hash out a resolution. But those that have criticized Microsoft's security efforts will also find fresh ammunition in AV-test.org's results. "Read the entire article hereA Replacement

In my search for a suitable replacement, I came across this article from PC Mag which selected AVG AntiVirus FREE 2013 as one of their top free software picks of 2012.

Read "The Best Free Software of 2012" from PC Magazine

You can download AVG Free Antivirus 2013 from their web site Avghttp://free.avg.com/us-en/free-antivirus-download 

Practice Safe Computing

While no software can protect completely against all malware attacks, AVG might be a better option. That said, it is important to remember that in the case of "zero-day" attacks -- those that are publicized before there is an effect fix or prevention -- an errant click on a bad link, or visiting an malware-laced web site might still be able to infect your machine.

Please practice "safe computing" as much as you can and forgo clicking on links that look suspicious. Doing so can circumvent any protection you might have installed. Malware scammers are getting very good at fooling people into installing their malware, so please be aware and be careful.

Also, please insure that your Windows Updates, Java Updates and Adobe Read/Flash/Shockwave are installed as soon as possible after they are released.

If you have any further questions, please contact me via the information at the top of this email.

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